Honouring a Legacy: The Ian Williams Memorial Match returns

We are proud to announce the 4^th Ian Williams Memorial Match on Saturday 27^th of September. The OURFC Men’s Blues travel to Richmond Athletic Ground (The RAG) to take on Richmond XV on Pitch 3, just outside the Murray Judd Bar.

This year’s fixture holds special meaning, marking 50 years since Ian’s father, Philip Williams, known to many as “Tonka”, made his first official appearance for Richmond Rugby. Tonka went on to appear in all four senior men’s sides, playing every position in the pack, and dedicating his entire career to the club. Hosting the match at The RAG “seems right” as “we [Helen and Ian] grew up there” says Helen Williams, Ian’s sister, recalling the Saturdays spent at the ground watching Tonka play rugby.

A few days ago, I was lucky enough to sit down with Helen Williams to talk about Ian, the match and The Ian Williams Foundation.

Ian Williams was a gifted tighthead prop and a “memorable” character both on and off the pitch. A “history nerd”, commented Helen, that “never quite matched the jock status”, Ian was a beloved and respected figure and liked by all his teammates from his various clubs. An intelligent man with an interest in literature and history – studying a Masters in these respective subjects at Kellogg College – there was no doubt that rugby was his passion and purpose. Ian was determined to pursue rugby as a profession, and he died in the midst of bringing his dream to life. Ian tragically passed away in February 2018 at the age of 27 after collapsing during training with Doncaster Knights. At 27, Ian had already achieved so much. Playing in the Varsity in both Wales and England, first for Swansea, winning two from three against Cardiff; and then achieving this Oxford University Blue (#1188), winning all three matches against Cambridge; it was “some of the happiest times I’ve seen him” says Helen recalling Ian’s time with the Blues as "everything else was measured against it" and his time at Iffley Road. In his earlier years Ian played youth rugby for London Welsh and helped RGC 1404 into the Welsh Premiership, before making his Championship debut for Rotherham Titans. Ian represented Richmond’s 1st XV and the Heavies, touring with the club while studying at Swansea University. Having OURFC and Richmond take the field in Ian’s memory feels especially fitting this year.

Helen explained that Ian died from a dissection of the ascending aorta, which means that, the aorta had split, and the pericardial sac (which contains the heart) was flooded. Whether it would’ve been picked up beforehand or not is another thing, but Helen and the family strongly believe that Ian and his fellow players should have been heart screened. It’s why The Ian Williams Foundation was founded. The Ian Williams Foundation - https://theianwilliamsfoundation.org – work in alongside other charities, such as with CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) to raise awareness around the risk of undiagnosed heart problems and take action to push professional set-ups to carry out cardiac screenings. It’s currently not compulsory at any grass roots level, and at a professional level it was previously on mandated at Premiership level or above. Helen adds that “the most significant impact we [The Foundation] have made thus far, was to lobby the Championship Board to introduce SOPs that included cardiac screening - which they have now done”. These changes were implemented during the 2020/21 season and The Foundation is looking to make this change at all levels of rugby. According to CRY, and supported by the British Heart Foundation, at least 12 people under the age of 35 die each week from an undiagnosed heart condition in the UK. Helen says that she’s “completely convinced” that there’s a “solution to this ahead of someone being lost” and that the foundation “isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel” but rather lobbying for sports organizations to screen players for prevention and safety. The vision of The Foundation is engaging with universities and athletes across the country to incorporate screening as part of the vernacular of sports health. “Ian always brought people together and that’s what we [the foundation] stand for” adds Helen. Promoting conversation, getting people on board and “provoking thought in this space to create impact and change” is the underpinning value of the foundation.

The Foundation’s logo has its origin in the song is ‘let’s go fly a kite’ and Helen explained that it was “Dad that had the idea”, speaking at Ian’s memorial in Keble College, Tonka made a reference to Mary Poppins

and added the sentiment of showing affection to your children and sending as much time with them whilst time permits you. “We want the foundation to move beyond rugby, so Dad suggested a kite near some rugby posts” added Helen, symbolising the foundation bridging its rugby foundations to its hopes to move into all other sports.

Helen adds that she believes “Ian would approve and is still involved” as The Foundation’s randomly assigned charity number, 1188414 starts with 1188 which is Ian’s Blues number.

All proceedings of the day will go to The Ian Williams Foundation via this https://donorbox.org/the-ian-williams-foundation-fund/fundraiser/the-ian-williams-foundation.

This will be an amazing day at The RAG for supporters, families, friends, and alumni to come together in remembrance and celebration.

Entry is free so go along, enjoy some great rugby, raise a pint, and celebrate Ian’s legacy with us.

The OURFC Men's Blues next take on Eastern Suburbs RUFC (East Rugby) on Thursday 9th of October. Join us at Iffley Road for a great night of rugby! Link to tickets - https://fixr.co/event/mens-blues-vs-easts-rufc-sydney-australia-tickets-596105226

OURFC Women's Blues are back in BUCS action on the 1st of October as they take on Bristol in their first game of the season, so come down for 7pm and cheer on the dark blues!